Buckle



Feb. 1, 1966 A. F. MGHENRY 3,231,953

BUCKLE Filed March 29, 1962 24 20 ZZ Z9 IO wie@ INVENTOR ALAN F. MCHENRY United States Patent O M 3,231,953 BUCKLE Alan F. McHenry, 9 E. 62nd St., New York, N.Y. Filed Mar. 29, 1962, Ser.No. 183,572 7 Claims. (Cl. 24--197) This invention relates to buckles for joining the ends of straps and more particularly to the buckles for adjustable safety belts for use in automobiles and the like.

A satisfactory buckle for use, for example, on the ends of safety belts used in automobiles should have certain well defined characteristics.` The buckle must be able to withstand high stresses so that, under the decelerating forces encountered in an auto accident, the buckle will remain secure and will not break or otherwise allow slippage of the belt.

The buckle should be readily releasable to enable Ithe user thereof to release the belt even under conditions of stress as, for example, when a `vehicle has overturned and the user is suspended from the belt.

Another important factor in a satisfactory buckle is to have means for assuring proper engagement of the buckle members without requiring a diflicult manipulation so that the buckle will remain secure and at the same time can be readily released as indicated above.

It is desirable also to provide buckles which are easily attached to belts or straps, without the exercise of special care, and which are comfortable for the wear-er to use. Also, it is desirable to provide a buckle which is inexpensive to manufacture and can be readily duplicated `in quantity without a complicated and expensive machinying or other manufacturing operation.

In accordance with the present invention, a buckle is provided which satises all of the above requirements.

More particularly, the new buckle is composed of two cooperating parts one of which is a frame-like member of symmetrical structure which enables it to beattached to a seat belt or other strap without particular care as to which side of the buckle is disposed inwardly or outwardly and the other portion of lthe buckle is formed of a lever-like tongue member which interiits with the frame members and can be inserted only in one way so th-at the user thereof cannot improperly connect the buckle and thereby cause binding or other undesirable difiiculties. When properly engaged, the new buckle will not slip and it will be retained in engagement with increasing force as the stresses on it increase, but it nevertheless canbe released manually with little effort even when subjected to high tension stresses. t

A further feature and advantage of the new buckle is that the belts or straps can be adjusted readily without disengaging the buckle but nevertheless slippage is avoided even under severe tension stresses due to the cooperation between the buckle and the belt.

For a better understanding ofthe present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which: p

FIGURE l is a plan view -of an assembled buckle embodying the present invention and showing portions of the belt or straps to which the buckle is attached;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the assembled buckle and portions of the belt;

FIGURE 3 is a view in section taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a View in section of the buckle partially and properly engaged;

FIGURE 5 is a View in section of the buckle partially and improperly engaged; and

FIGURE 6 is a view in .section of a modified form of buckle embodying the invention and showing portions of the straps to which the buckle is attached.

3,231,953 Patented Fel). 1, 1966 As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, a typical buckle embodying the invention includes a frame-like member lil which is :made of any suitable rigid, strong material such as steel, zinc, aluminum or the like. A belt or strap 12 collectively referred to hereinafter as a strap is looped over and fastened around a cross member 14 at one end of the frame in any suitable way such as, for example, by means of stitching 16. At the opposite end of the frame 10 is a transverse bar 18 which serves as a stop member f-or a cooperating tongue member of the buckle to be -described hereinafter. The cross member 14 and cross bar 18 are symmetrically arranged in a plane passing through the longitudinal center lines of the side plates or sides 2l) and 21 of the frame member 10 which, as illustrated are of a generally diamond configuration although they can be oval, rectangular or of other suitable shape as may be desired.

The symmetrical location of the bars 14 and 18 with vrelation to the side plates has the advantage that the frame 10 can be readily formed as, for example, by a casting operati-on in one piece and can be assembled with either side out with respect to the strap 12 since both sides of the frame member are the same.

Extending inwardly from and lengthwise of each of the side plates 20 and 21 are ribs 22 and 23 which project into the space between the side plates 20 and 21 a short distance, such as, for example, between about 5%2 Iand 1/s of an inch in a typical buckle. As illustrated, the ribs 22 and 23 have one end merging into each end of the cross-bar 18, but this is not necessary and the ribs may be short and spaced from the cross-bar 18. Also, at opposite ends ofthe Vcross member 14 are thickened portions forming shoulders 24 and 25 which cooperate with the ribs 22 and 23 to form recesses therebetween.

Cooperating with the frame member 10 is a plate-like tongue member 26 which has a lever portion 27 of generally triangular shape at one end thereof and bent slightly out of the plane of the generally rectangular body 28 of the tongue member 26. At opposite sides of the body portion 28 of the tongue member are flanges 29 and 30 which, as illustrated, have arcuate upper surfaces extending substantially above the upper surface of the buckle portion 2S. The curvature or shape of the flanges can be modified but the maximum height of the arcuate flanges 29 and 30 above the back surface of the plate portion 28 is somewhat less than the spacing between the adjacent ends of the ribs 22 and 23 and the shoulders 24 and 25. In this way the tongue member 26 can be inserted through the frame member 10 with the flanged edges of the tongue member disposed in the recesses interposed between the ribs 22 and 23 and the shoulders 24 and 25. This relation is important, as will be explained, for it enables the insertion of the tongue member through the frame member from either side when in proper relation to the frame but prevents its improper insertion through the farne.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the tongue member 26 includes a thickened cross-bar 31 which extends between the flanges 29 and 30, has a rounded upper surface 32 and is of somewhat less height `than the outer edges of the ilanges 29 and 3?. Another strap S is passed around the cross-bar 31 by inserting it from below through the slot 33 to the left of the cross-bar 31 as viewed in FIGURE 3, looping it over the top of the bar and downwardly through the slot 34 to the right of the bar 31 and then backwardly on top of the strap S. The free end 35 of the strap S is not secured to the other underlying portion of the strap S, for the free end 35 is used to adjust the fit of the belt after the buckle has been engaged.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the elements of the buckle are assembled by passing the tongue member 26 with the outer edges of the tianges 29 and 3) facing toward the shoulders 24 and 25. In this position the lever-like plate member will pass readily between the shoulders and the opposing ends of the ribs 22 and 23 from either side of the frame i0. When the lever member 26 is passed completely through the buckle it is locked into engagement with the upper surface of the bar 13 as shown in FIGURE 3, and, due to the engagement of the edges of the plate portion 2S with the ribs 22 and 23 and the fact that tension is exerted on the strap tending to pull the lever-like member 26 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3, the buckle elements will be retained tightly in engagement. Moreover, inasmuch as the free end 35 of the strap S is engaged between the cross bars 18 and 31 and makes substantially a right angle turn, it cannot slip relative to the tongue member. However, upon lifting the tongue member by its lever portion 27, the strap S can be loosened or tightened.

Due to the fact that the cross bar 31 is close to the ends of the ribs 22 and 23, the buckle can be released merely by lifting upwardly the lever portion 27 of the plate member so that it will pivot around the ends of the ribs and slide out of the frame 1t). The relation of the parts is such that the buckle can be easily released with little alfort even when it is supporting the weight of the user, as for example, when the vehicle overturns.

With the type of buckle shown, it is undesirable to. permit the user to insert the plate-like tongue member 26 in a reversed position through the frame member for the reason that the tongue member cannot rock around the ends of the ribs and the distribution of stresses is such that it is diiiicult, if not impossible, to release the buckle elements when they are subjected to tension. Thus, if it were possible to insert the tongue member 26 through the frame member it? in the manner shown in FIGURE 5, and seat it flatly on the ribs 22 and 23 and the stop bar I8, lifting of the lever portion 27 would only increase the tension on the buckle and would not release it.

In order to avoid improper connection of the buckle members, the spacing between the ends of the lianges 22 and 23 and the shoulders 24 and 25 is such that when the tongue member 26 is inserted as shown in FIGURE 5, the outer edges of the tianges 29 and 30 engage the ends of the ribs 22 and 23 and the thickness of the strap S behind the bar 31 and the thickness of the strap 12 in front of the bar 14 reduces the clearance between the buckle members to the extent that the straps interfere and either prevent the tongue member 26 from passing through the frame member 10 or require the exertion of such force that it serves as a warning that the buckle members are being improperly assembled. By properly relating the spacing between the ribs 22 and 23 and the shoulders 24 and 25 and the height of the side flanges 29 and 3) on the tongue member, it is possible to prevent completely the improper insertion of the tongue member 26 through the frame member 10, thereby assuring only proper assembly of the buckle in a relation such as it can be readily released when required.

A modiiied form of buckle is disclosed in FIG. 6 in which improper connection of the buckle members is prevented without relying upon interference between the straps. This form of buckle also includes a symmetrical frame 40 including a cross-member 41 at one end for receiving a strap 42 and a stop bar 43 at the opposite end for engaging the tongue member 44 and the strap 45. As in the buckle shown in FIGS. l to 5, ribs 46 extend inwardly from opposite Sides 47 of the frame member, and are illustrated as being spaced from the stop bar 43. rTongue member 44 is similar to tongue member 26 described above and includes the similar arcuate side iianges 48 at opposite edges and a cross bar around which the strap 45 is looped.

Differing from the buckle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, frame member 4t? has concavely curved shoulders 49 at opposite ends of the cross-member 41, the innermost ends of the shoulders lying in a plane indicated by the dotted line a-a which is spaced from the adjacent ends of the ribs 46 a lesser distance than the distance l1 between the undersurface of the tongue member and the outermost edge of the flange 48 measured perpendicular to the base of the tongue member. Also, the ends of the shoulders 4) are spaced radially from the closest portions of the ends of the ribs 46 a slightly greater distance than lz. With this relation of elements and proportions the tongue member 44 can be inserted into the frame member 40 with the flanges 48 in the recesses between the ribs 46 and the shoulders 49 and pivoted on and slipped around the ends of the ribs 46 into connected relation due to the relief space afforded by the concave surfaces of the shoulders 49.

However, theV tongue member 44 cannot be inserted into the frame member 40 if they are positioned in the improper relation illustrated in FIG. 5. In the improper relation, the undersurface of the tongue member 44 engages the shoulders 49 in the plane n n. Inasmuch as the plane a-a is spaced from the ends of the ribs 46 a lesser distance than distance h, the iianges 4S and the ends of the ribs 46 interfere and prevent insertion of the tongue member 44 into the frame 4t). While the shoulders 49 are illustrated as having a concavely curved surface, they may be of any other desired shape or form capable of providing a relief space outwardly of the plane a--a for allowing pivoting and sliding movement of the tongue member 44.

Buckles of the type described above can be made of any strong material, such as, for example, zinc casting metal, cast aluminum or the like. Buckles of a size suitable for use with auto seat belts are capable of withstanding stresses of 1500 lbs. without breaking or releasing.

From the foregoing description of typical forms of buckles embodying the invention, it will be understood that the new lbuckles are easily manufactured with a minimum of labor, machining or finishing operations, thc frame member can be assembled with either face outwardly with respect to its strap and the tongue member associated with its strap in such a manner as to `facilitate easy adjustment and to assure only the proper connection of the buckle members to each other.

It will be understood that the buckle is susceptible to considerable modification as to size, shape and the materials of which it is formed and, accordingly, the embodiment of the invention described herein should not be considered as illustrative and not as limiting.

I claim:

1. A buckle for connecting straps and the like, comprising a first buckle member, means on said buckle member for securing said buckle member to a strap, a cross-bar on sai-d buckle member spaced from said means, a second buckle member, means in said second buckle member for receiving a strap, said second buckle member being insertable through said lirst buckle member between said means thereon and said cross-bar and engageable with said cross-bar to connect said buckle members, and cooperating means on said first and second buckle members for restricting the insertion of said second buckle member through either side of said rst buckle member to only one predetermined oriented relation.

2. A buckle comprising a plate-like Abuckle member, flanges exten-ding from opposite edges of said buckle member substantially at right angles thereto, a cross-bar between said lianges for securing said buckle member to a strap, a cooperating frame-like buckle member having sides and cross-members extending between said sides adjacent to their ends, one of said `cross-members being adapted to be secured to a strap, and a rib on each side adjacent the other of said cross-members and having an inner end in spaced relation to said one cross-member to provide a recess therebetween, the spacing between the ends of said ribs and said one cross member being less than the combined height of said flange and said buckle member and the thicknesses of. said straps, said platelike buckle member being insertable through said framelike buckle member with said flanges thereon passing through `said recesses and opposing said one cross-member, the width of said recesses causing interference between the straps secured to said buckle members when said lirst buckle member is inserted into said frame-like buckle member with said anges opposing said inner ends of said ribs.

3. The buckle set forth in claim 2 in which said crossmem'bers and said ribs are disposed substantially in a plane passing through the longitudinal center lines of said sides.

4. The buckle set forth in claim 3 in which said ribs and said other cross-member support said plate-like buckle mmeber with the strap secured thereto passing between said ribs and engaging said other cross-member when said buckle members are connected.

5. A buckle for connecting straps comprising a longitudinally symmetrical frame adapted to be attached to one strap and a cooperating tongue member adapted to be attached to another strap, said frame including a pair of sides, a longitudinally symmetrical cross member centrally positioned and rigidly attached at opposite ends to said sides, symmetrical shoulder means projecting from the said cross member and the said side members, a longitudinally symmetrical transverse stop centrally positioned at the opposite ends of said` sides, longitudinally symmetrical ribs projecting from the said transverse stop and said side members, said ribs and said shoulder means being spaced apart to permit said tongue member to pass through either side of said frame, said tongue member being of a width greater than the -distance between` said ribs and resting upon saidribs and said stop Iafter passing through said frame member, a transverse bar on said tongue member to receive said other strap and hold it against said transverse stop, arcuate side anges on and extending substantially perpendicular to said tongue member enabling the said tongue member to be pivoted around the inner ends of said ribs when said flanges oppose said shoulders, and cooperating means on said frame and said tongue member for restricting the insertion of said tongue member through either side of said frame to only one predetermined oriented relation.

6. A buckle for connecting straps and the like comprising a frame-like buckle member having sides, a crossmember for receiving a strap adjacent one end of and connecting said side members, a stop-bar adjacent the' other end of and connecting said sides, ribs extending inwardly from said sides and having ends spaced from said cross-member, shoulders extending inwardly from said sides and having spaced apart end portions in a plane spaced from said ends of said ribs and a relief space between said end portions, said rib and shoulder on each side delining a recess therebetween, a tongue member having a substantially at base portion, flanges at opposite edges of said base portion and extending laterally therefrom, said flanges having curved outer edges, and a transverse bar extending between said flanges for receiving a strap, said base portion and anges having 'a maximum height greater than the minimum distance between said plane and said ends of said ribs and less than the distance between said end portions of said shoulders ,and said ends o-f said ribs, whereby said tongue member is insertable through said buckle member only With'said flanges disposed in said recesses and with said free edge opposing said shoulders.

7. A buckle for connecting straps and the like comprising a frame-like buckle member, a tongue member, means on said buckle :and tongue members for receiving straps, ribs extending inwardly from opposite sides of said frame-like buckle member, a shoulder having spaced apart ends and a relief space therebetween extending inwardly from at least one of said sides and spaced from the rib thereon to form therewith a recess in said side, and a curved portion on said tongue member, said tongue member being insertable through said frame-like buckle with said curved portion in said recess and opposing said shoulder, the spacing between said end portions of said shoulder and said rib on said one side and the height of said curved portion restricting insertion of said tongue portion only in a position in which said curved portion opposes said shoulder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,233,071 2/ 1941 Bangs 24-201 2,807,852 10/ 1957 Rave 24-197 2,823,437 2/ 1958 Anderson 24-197 2,853,757 9/1958 Rave 24--197 2,983,015 3/ 1961 Harley 24-197 X FOREIGN PATENTS 285,883 1/ 1953 Switzerland.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MELVIN D. REIN, DONLEY I. STOCKlNG,

Examiners. 

1. A BUCKLE FOR CONNECTING STRAPS AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A FIRST BUCKLE MEMBER, MEANS ON SAID BUCKLE MEMBER FOR SECURING SAID BUCKLE MEMBER TO STRAP, A CROSS-BAR ON SAID BUCKLE MEMBER SPACED FROM SAID MEANS, A SECOND BUCKLE MEMBER, MEANS IN SAID SECOND BUCKLE MEMBER FOR RECEIVING A STRAP, SAID SECOND BUCKLE MEMBER BEING INSERTABLE THROUGH SAID FIRST BUCKLE MEMBER BETWEEN SAID MEANS THEREON AND SAID CROSS-BAR AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CROSS-BAR TO CONNECT SAID BUCKLE MEMBERS, AND COOPERAT- 